JUSTISI
Vol. 12 No. 2 (2026): JUSTISI

The Authority of the Public Notary to Include Fingerprint Documents in Deeds to Prevent Document Forgery

Ahmad Raihan (Universitas Islam Malang)



Article Info

Publish Date
23 May 2026

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the authority of Land Deed Officers (PPAT) to affix the fingerprints of the parties as supplementary documents to the original deed, as well as to examine the formulation of regulations regarding the obligations of PPATs to prevent the criminal act of document forgery. The research method employs a normative legal approach, focusing on the construction of PPAT obligations under Government Regulation No. 37 of 1997 on Land Deed Officers. The novelty of this research lies in the construction of obligations for PPATs that have not yet been specifically regulated in either official regulations or technical provisions for deed preparation. This construction aims to provide legal certainty for general PPATs, temporary PPATs, and special PPATs in their efforts to prevent the criminal act of document forgery. The findings indicate that the affixing of fingerprints on the draft deed is not explicitly regulated in either the PPAT’s official regulations or the technical provisions for deed preparation. The reconstruction of the PPAT’s obligation to affix fingerprints on deed drafts can be achieved by updating Article 21 of Government Regulation No. 37 of 1998, which focuses on authentication mechanisms, standardization of procedures, and sanctions. This study concludes that the affixing of fingerprints to documents essentially plays a significant role, not only as a substitute for a signature but also as a preventive measure against the criminal act of document forgery. However, this attachment requires a clear legal basis so that all Public Notaries (PPATs) have a common foundation for requiring parties to affix their fingerprints on supplementary documents to be attached to the original deed.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

js

Publisher

Subject

Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice

Description

Justisi provides a forum for publishing research articles, reviewer articles from academics, analyst, practitioners who are interested in providing literature on Legal Studies in all aspects. Scientific articles covering among them : 1. Criminal Law; 2. Civil Law; 3. Constitutional Law; 4. State ...